DETERMINED efforts to save the popular Carnegie library from closure have begun.

Last Thursday plans to close seven libraries in the borough, including one in Crosby and Litherland library, were controversially passed.

But supporters of the historic building are eager to take advantage of a last- minute reprieve and come up with a “feasible and sustainable” rescue plan.

At Sefton council’s hot-tempered budget setting meeting last week, politicians committed the town hall to cutting £400,000 from the library service’s budget.

But leader of the council Peter Dowd told watching anti-closure campaigners the council would consider viable plans to run the libraries submitted within the coming months.

Although a decision has not yet been made as to which Crosby library would close, a campaign to protect the Carnegie is being set up. Hoping to make the most of the reprieve, campaigners are now looking to set up a Friends of Carnegie Library group to battle against closure.

Simon Jamieson, who is organising the rescue bid, told the Herald: “When the libraries were given in effect a three-month stay of execution I decided to form a meeting to see how many we could get together to create a Friends of Carnegie Library group.

“We’ve got this meeting together for Tuesday and basically we want like- minded people to come along who are interested in helping out.

“I am Crosby born and bred so I went there as a child and with it being a listed building hopefully it can be run by the community for the community.

“We have had a fair bit of response back from people saying they are going to attend and everyone I’ve spoken to seems to think it’s a good idea.”

The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12 at Marine FC at 7.30pm.

Similar groups have been set up to protect threatened libraries in Ainsdale, Birkdale and Churchtown.

For more details on the meeting email: carnegiecrosby @yahoo.co.uk.

Mr Jamieson wished to thank Marine FC for allowing him to hold the meeting for free.